One title down, one to go. Jannik Sinner has already conquered Indian Wells - now, all eyes are on whether he can complete one of tennis’ rarest feats in Miami. Winning both Indian Wells and the Miami Open in the same season - the iconic ‘Sunshine Double' - has historically separated the greats from the rest. 

Legends like Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Andre Agassi, and Pete Sampras have achieved it, but no player has done so since Federer’s memorable run in 2017. Now, Sinner stands on the brink of joining that elite club. The belief in his chances is growing stronger by the day. 

Renowned coach Rick Macci, who once worked with Serena Williams, has publicly backed the Italian to go all the way. He tweeted: "Asked my prediction for the Miami open men winner. Just have a feel Sinner get the daily double, as the fast courts and his style gives his opponents trouble, and lower bounce gives him options and time to pounce.@janniksin"

It’s not hard to see why. Sinner arrives in Florida riding a wave of confidence after his dominant run at the BNP Paribas Open. In the final, he overcame Daniil Medvedev in style, showcasing both composure and firepower. The victory also marked a significant milestone, his 100th Masters 1000 win at just 24.

But it’s the manner of his recent performances that truly stands out. Sinner did not drop a single set during his Indian Wells campaign, continuing a remarkable streak that dates back to his title run in Paris last November. In fact, he became the first man since the inception of the Masters 1000 series in 1990 to win consecutive titles at this level without losing a set.

His win over Medvedev in the final further underlined his mental strength. Trailing 0-4 in the second-set tie-break, Sinner stormed back by winning seven straight points to seal the match, an example of the resilience that has defined his rise.

Beyond results, Sinner is rewriting history for Italian tennis. He is already the highest-ranked Italian men’s player ever and the first from his country in nearly 50 years to win a Grand Slam singles title, following in the footsteps of Adriano Panatta’s 1976 French Open triumph.

Jannik Sinner has also joined an exclusive group by completing the set of all six ATP Masters 1000 hard-court titles, matching the achievements of Djokovic and Federer. At just 24, his trajectory suggests that even bigger milestones could be within reach.

The Sunshine Double, however, remains a unique challenge. The quick turnaround between Indian Wells and Miami, subtle surface differences, and the depth of competition make it one of the toughest back-to-back accomplishments in tennis.

Still, Sinner’s current form and the confidence surrounding him make this moment feel different. He has also significantly closed the gap on world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz, now trailing by 2,150 points. A deep run in Miami could bring him even closer to the top spot.

With the draw now in place, the opportunity is clear. The question is whether Sinner can sustain his near-flawless level for one more week and etch his name alongside the sport’s greats. If he does, it won’t just be another title - it will be a statement.

Roger Federer’s ex-coach rates Jannik Sinner’s chances of completing the ‘Sunshine Double’

Jannik Sinner has done the hard part; now comes the history chase. With Indian Wells already in his bag, the Italian is eyeing the elusive Sunshine Double, and one of tennis’ most respected voices believes he’s primed to deliver.

Sinner’s confidence couldn’t be better timed. The 24-year-old arrives in Miami fresh off a statement title run in California, silencing doubts after a slow start to the season. And if his track record in Florida is anything to go by, he’s stepping onto familiar and favorable ground.

Since making his Miami Open debut in 2021, Sinner has been a consistent force at the event. He reached the final in his first appearance before falling to Hubert Hurkacz, followed it up with a quarter-final run in 2022, and then returned to the final in 2023, where Daniil Medvedev denied him again. In 2024, however, he broke through in emphatic fashion, dismantling Grigor Dimitrov 6-3, 6-1 to lift his maiden Miami title.

Despite the expectations, Sinner has kept his approach grounded. Speaking ahead of this year’s tournament, he said: “We all hope for the best possible result. Let’s see. For me, the most important [thing] is to prepare myself in the best possible way, and then we’ll see what turns out.”

Jannik Sinner further added, “Of course, I try to, as always, give 100 percent. That’s the only thing I can control, and the rest I can’t control. I try to adapt, you know? So, they’re all very tough challenges in front of me. Let’s see who my first-round opponent is, and hopefully I will be ready.”

While Sinner remains measured, others are far more definitive. Ivan Ljubicic, former world No. 3 and long-time coach of Roger Federer, has thrown his weight behind the Italian’s chances of completing the Sunshine Double.

Reflecting on Sinner’s Indian Wells triumph, Ljubicic said: “He was the protagonist of an exceptional tournament in California, beating Daniil Medvedev at the end of a very tough final. It took a disappointing version of Sinner to prevail over the Russian, who returned to play at a high level and eliminated Alcaraz in the semifinals. This shows how strong the Italian is on this surface.”

He didn’t stop there. “I would say that Sinner is the huge favorite in Miami. He has huge confidence right now and he likes the conditions, as well as having time to get used to it,” Ljubicic added. “He and Alcaraz are the best players in the world right now. Everyone's hope is that they both reach the final and give us another memorable show.”

It’s a bold endorsement, but one backed by evidence. Sinner’s aggressive baseline game thrives on Miami’s quicker hard courts, and his recent form suggests he has both the momentum and mental edge required for a deep run. Having skipped the 2025 edition due to a WADA-imposed ban, the Italian now returns with renewed purpose and a chance to achieve what only a handful of players in history have managed.

The Sunshine Double is notoriously difficult, demanding peak performance across two consecutive Masters 1000 events. But with Sinner’s current level and the belief from figures like Ljubicic and Macci, the possibility feels more real than ever. Now, it’s up to Jannik Sinner to turn belief into history. Do you think he can win the 2026 Miami Open?

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallyTennis. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

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